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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Roundball Mock Lottery Draft 1.0

A lot of hype on 7 footer Alex Len, but the Cavs are going with a sure thing in Noel. After he recovers from injury, he'll be a defensive presence for the next decade in Cleveland.

2. Orlando - Victor Oladipo

Maybe the most athletic player in the draft. Orlando is in need of a two guard and Oladipo fits the bill as an atheltic wing with energy. He will provide solid play on both sides of the ball. With this addition the Magic are quietly assembling a nice, young and talented roster since the departure of DUH-Wight.

3. Washington - Alex Len

This is where it gets fun. All the 'experts' have them taking Otto Porter but the reality is they need big men. Drafting Len allows the Wizards to develop him under Emeka Okafor and Nene, who always seem injured, and will pair him up with a premier point guard in John Wall. Len can shoot well and has good fundamentals for a seven footer. This pick will set off a flurry of big men being drafted.

4. Charlotte - Ben McLemore

Having just missed their man in Len and in need of pretty much everything, the Bobcats Hornets will take the best scorer in the draft. Pairing McLemore with a much improved Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will give Charlotte a formidable back court.

5. Phoenix - Otto Porter

Suns get a solid pick in Otto Porter at number at #5. Porter can do everything well and should immediately start at small forward, a glaring weakness for Phoenix last year.

6. New Orleans - Anthony Bennett

The Pelicans need help all over, especially at the power forward spot. The 'experts' have Trey Burke going here but Greivis Vasquez gave them great production last season. Bennett would step in immediately as a big time scorer down low to compliment Anthony Davis.

7. Sacramento - Trey Burke

The Kings need big time help. A floor general with great leadership will help steer them back from the NBA abyss. Trey Burke provides all the intangibles they need. If he is off the board, they will take the next best point guard in C.J. McCollum.

8. Detroit - CJ McCollum

Pistons need a point guard. They're building around three young stars in Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond, and Brandon Knight, and they need a point guard play maker to get them the ball. McCollum fits that bill.

9. Minnesota - Cody Zeller

The T-Wolves were really exposed last season with Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic's injuries. They will be looking for a big man with size for their rotation. Cody Zeller would be a perfect fit to play both the 4 and 5 as the Minnesota TimberWhites continue to assemble the WHITEST ROSTER EVER.

10. Portland - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The Blazers will be looking to pair Damian Lillard up with a complimentary guard. Caldwell-Pope will bring size, defense, scoring, and athleticism to help them compete out West.

11. Philadelphia - Steven Adams

Philly is another team that needs pretty much everything. After giving away Nikola Vucevic last season, the Sixers need to add size to their roster. Regardless of Andrew Bynum, Adams will give them a fundamental big man for the future.

MCW will give OKC the depth at point guard that it missed last season when Westbrook went down. It will also allow Westbrook to slide over and play the two guard position.

13. Dallas - Kelly Olynyk

This is where the draft gets a little tricky. Dirk is getting older and Chris Kaman is a free agent. The Mavs need size and could roll the dice on Dirk's doppelganger in Kelly Olynyk, a seven footer that can stretch the floor and knock down shots.

14. Utah - Shane Larkin

The Jazz need a point guard to help run the show and get the ball to their big men. Larkin fits the bill nicely and will give them a much needed spark.

At this point in the evening GMs start taking long shots on lanky Europeans that could be stashed away for a few years. However, there are solid players available throughout the first round that will provide immediate production for a lot of teams. Keep an eye on the teams that draft Shabazz Muhommad, Gorgui Dieng, Tim Hardaway Jr, and Mason Plumlee next season.